Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music Trailer
In 2016, Taylor Mac performed his immersive 24-Decade History of Popular Music in a theater in Brooklyn for a full twenty four hours. Normally performed in sections, this was the first and only time this had been done. Decade by decade, from 1776-2016, the history of popular music and the history of America merge, with a decidedly queer slant.
The documentary, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, includes footage from the show combined with interviews with Mac, his incredible costume designer Machine Dazzle, his musical director Matt Ray, and his co-director Niegel Smith. Although Mac is the main performer, the show includes a stage full of musicians, additional singers, and his “Dandy Minions” who can often be found offstage interacting with the audience. Mac’s desire to draw people together and build community is highlighted during several moments focused on the audience’s participation.
Throughout the many hours, performers leave the stage for good leaving only Mac by the end of the show. This is meant to mirror the losses from the AIDS epidemic. Even with only a small selection of these moments, you can feel the effect this creates.
Inventive, beautiful, funny, and often moving, this documentary provides a small taste of the performance and will leave you wanting more.
For my mural, I wanted to do something hopeful and bright, and the color palette reflects that intent. I took inspiration primarily from classical art and 70s prog rock album covers. I am a big fan of Roger Dean – the artist behind covers for bands such as Yes and Uriah Heep – and borrowed some of his themes for this piece. In the foreground, you see two statues in a colonnade, and as your eye moves across the piece into the mid and background, you become aware that the land and temple are breaking apart, with parts floating off into the sun. The furthest statue has awakened and is stepping off of her base, gazing into the sun. Although the context – the solid ground she has been standing upon is breaking apart – should be frightening, she is looking into the light and moving towards her new existence. This is a metaphor for the process of being reborn in the breaking we all face in our lives, for waking up to the beautiful and terrifying reality of self, and becoming another thing and venturing into the unknown.
Spatially, the piece unfolds for you as you round the corner approaching it. Your first view is of the static statues, and as you come closer, the rays of sunlight draw you in to the rest of the scene. There is not much room to stand back from the piece, so you are forced to confront its magnitude up-close, pulling you into the world in which it exists.
Lari Pittman made this print as part of a portfolio honoring visual and performing artists lost to the AIDS epidemic. Dedicated to pianist and singer Liberace (1919-1987), Pittman referenced the performer’s renowned love for glitz and glamour through what he calls over-decoration. The male profile (perhaps representing a young Liberace), diamonds, sunbursts, and undefined architectural elements in layers of bright, complementary colors celebrate artificiality, or in the artist’s words, “frippery” that defines both Pittman’s practice and Liberace’s public persona.
Art21 also has several videos of Pittman discussing his work worth checking out.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (5/30-6/2/19)-
Thursday
Artists Shinique Smith and Rirkrit Tiravanija will be discussing their history of transforming museum spaces with journalist Jori Finkel at The Hammer
Holy Wave are playing with Triptides and Gold Cage at The Factory
Apex Manor are playing with Coastal Clouds and Near Beer at the Bootleg Theater
Bennett Simpson and Rebecca Lowery will be giving an exhibition walk through of The Foundation of the Museum: MOCA’s Collection at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (both MOCA locations are free on Thursday evenings)
LACMA is having a free screening of Halston with a post screening conversation with director Frédéric Tcheng and producer Roland Ballester
Xiu Xiu are bringing their unique sound to Lodge Room with composer Gregg Kowalsky opeing
Performance art duo Princess (Alexis Gideon and Michael O’Neill) will be performing Out There, a live music and video album, at Zebulon. CRICKETS, a new performance and recording project with Roddy Bottum (Faith No More), JD Samson (Le Tigre/MEN), and Michael O’Neill (Princess, MEN), will also be performing.
Friday
Sego are playing at Moroccan Lounge with Hate Drugs and Lens Mozer opening
Death Bells and Hit Bargain are opening for Odonis Odonis at Zebulon
Dodger Stadium is hosting LGBT Night with Dodger owners Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss throwing out ceremonial first pitches, Nicki Blonsky singing the national anthem, the Dodgers playing the Phillies, fireworks after the game, and more
Wavves is playing at Lodge Room with Puzzle and Slut Island (also Saturday)
Friday through Sunday
FEMMEBIT is a “platform and triennial festival uniting an all-female roster of Los Angeles based artists working in video and new media”. There will be screenings, panel discussions, live performances and more taking place at Civic Center Studios
The free Lummis Days Festival celebrates the arts, history and ethnic diversity of Northeast Los Angeles with programming that includes a screening of Con Safos:Reflections of Life in the Barrio by Emmy Award winner Jimmy Velarde at Occidental College on Friday, plus live music, exhibitions, workshops, dance performances and more at various locations on Saturday and Sunday
Saturday
Venice Pride kicks off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with an illumination of the Venice Pride Sign and Block Party (free)
Outpost Los Angeles City Market is a free cultural festival taking place at Rolling Greens in the Arts District with workshops, panels, and more- plus performances by Porches, Kirin J Callinan, Negative Gemini, Ana Roxanne and a DJ set by Neon Indian
The Specials are playing at The Novo with L.A. Salami opening
Jai Wolf is playing at The Shrine Expo Hall with Shallou, Evan Giia, and Ford. opening
Plastic Cactus are playing at The Hi Hat with Easy Love, Chelsea Rose, and The Sob Sonnets
NY Night Train Soul Clap & Dance Off w/ Jonathan Toubin is a night of soul music on vinyl at Zebulon with a live performance by LA band Los Blancos
Sunday
MOCA Community Day is taking place at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and is centered around the homelessness crisis in LA, specifically “the youth population affected by the crisis, and how creative experiences can spark change”. The day will feature performances, information booths, workshops, and activities over the course of the day. (free)
The Aero Theatre is hosting a Jim Jarmusch double feature- Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law
Zebulon is hosting a free screening of Alain Resnais’ film Providence and later Weirdo Night returns with performances by Dynasty Handbag, Malik Gaines, Amelia Bande, Kate Berlant, Dance-Y-Oke and more
